The epic rivalry between two cricketing giants India and Australia is again about to get underway. Cricket enthusiasts have been waiting for this much-awaited tour of India for a long time. It all begins on 27th of November with the 3 match ODI series. Then it will be time for the T20I series to get underway which will grab a lot of eyeballs considering the T20 world cup will be staged next year.
Both the sides will be endeavouring to find their winning combinations as the big T20 world cup inch closer. India has picked some new faces in their T20 squad which will be trying to make an instant impact against the mighty Aussies. Whereas the hosts to have tried to pick a balanced squad that can dominate India in the T20I series.
We take a look at the 5 players to watch out for during the T20I series between India and Australia
5. Mitchell Starc
Not many can argue with the fact that Mitchell Starc is one of the best white ballplayers in the world. His uncanny knack of picking up wickets early and then back it up by delivering yorkers at will at the death makes him a potent force.
Starc unlike many big Australian players missed the IPL and will be ardent to make a difference in the T20I squad against India. In white-ball cricket, Starc remains the best Aussie bowler and will be their leader of the bowling attack against the men in blue. Everyone will have a close eye on Starc to see whether he is still a force in international cricket or has passed his prime.
Mitchell Starc has an outstanding T20I record: 34 matches, 45 wickets, economy 6.90, average 19.5, best 3/11.
Also Read: Virat Kohli Or Rohit Sharma? Aakash Chopra Reveals Who India Will Miss More Against Australia
4. Hardik Pandya
The devastating Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya will be donning the blue of India after a long wait in Australia. Pandya didn’t bowl during the IPL and he is once again expected to play as a specialist batsman in the late middle order.
On his day Pandya can alone win a T20 match as he has all the gears of a quality batsman in the shortest format of the game. Pandya batting at 6 provides the much-needed X-Factor to the batting of India which will be pressing against Australia. The good thing is that Pandya was in superb form for Mumbai Indians in the IPL and he will be intending to replicate it against Australia.
Hardik Pandya T20I record: 40 matches, 310 runs, SR 147.6
3. Cameron Green
The impressive 21-year-old Cameron Green will be a new face during the T20I series between India and Australia. The youngster is a capable batsman and also someone who can chip in with a few crucial overs in the middle.
Australia will be anxious to see Cameron Green perform against India as he is touted to be a future star. Green impressed everyone with his brilliant all-round performances during the BBL playing for the Perth Scorchers and in the Sheffield Shield playing for Western Australia.
2. T Natarajan
Well, India fans are notably excited to see how T. Natrajan will perform in the T20I series after his splendid show in the IPL. Originally it was going to be Varun Chakravarthy in the Indian squad but he sustained a shoulder injury and Natarajan received him maiden India call.
The left-arm seamer will add a different dimension to the India bowling attack in the T20I series. Natarajan is expected to partner Jasprit Bumrah in the end overs as fans are expecting to see inch-perfect yorkers from both ends. Natarajan played an instrument role in the success of SRH and produced magical performances during crunch situations.
He affected yorkers at will against some of the best batsmen which is why the selectors fast-tracked him to the national squad. For a long time, India has waited for a quality left-arm fast bowler and Natrajan might just be that as he will be attempting for a memorable show in his first series for India.
1 KL Rahul
When it’s about T20 cricket for India you just can’t look past KL Rahul. The elegant run machine of India will also be India’s vice-captain in absence of Rohit Sharma during the white ball series on the Australian tour. Rahul has by far been India’s best T20 batsman in the last few years and has even overshadowed the likes of Rohit and Kohli.
The 28-year-old is currently at the peak of his powers and the tour to Australia might prove to be another series where he takes his batting to another level. Rahul will be opening the batting alongside Shikhar Dhawan and their partnership will always be crucial for Indian in the T20I series. Also if Rahul can have a successful T20I series he will get nearer to the number 1 rank T20I batsman in the world.
KL Rahul Record: 42 Matches, 1461 Runs, Average 45.6, Strike Rate 146
Also Read: India’s Predicted Playing XI For ODI Series Against Australia